Reichenberg Castle (Schloss Reichenberg)

A visit to Reichenberg Castle near the town of Reichelsheim, accompanied by a hike or bike ride in the surrounding hills makes for a nice day out, especially for those who like combining outdoor activity with a bit of history.

Reichenberg Castle, as you see it today, with its commanding view over the Gersprenz Valley and the town of Reichelsheim, is what is left of an elevated fortress from the 12th century.  What remains is the residential Palas and various building from the castle complex (Vorburg).

There is some confusion about the origin of the castle, as one source states that it was built around 1150 by the lords of Crumbach-Rodenstein, while another source attributes its original construction to the efforts of Johann I of Erbach in the 13th century.   Regardless of which source is accurate, the castle was certainly in the hands of the Erbach nobles by the 14th century as records show that two separate lines of the Erbach family were involved in a dispute over its possession at that time.

Originally the castle consisted of the Bergfried and a Palas surrounded by a high curtain wall, a ring wall and a moat. Rather than having a keep, which served the purpose of both a refuge and a residence, German castles of this era usually had a Bergfried for protection and a Palas as a place for people to reside during times of peace.  A drawbridge led from through the old gate into the inner courtyard. These features speak to the fact that the original purpose of the castle was as a defensive fortress.

In the second phase of construction, inner courtyards (Zwinger) and a north gate were added. The castle was further extended in the 14th century, with the addition of several outbuilding, a secured access to the inner castle and a Gothic chapel, constructed by Eberhard X and his wife, Marie of Bickenbach.   

In the early 16th century, the castle was placed under siege during the Bavarian-Palatinate War of Succession, and in June of 1622, it survived an attack by Croatian and French forces during the 30 Years’ War. During that time, the citizens of Reichelsheim and surrounding villages used the castle as a place of refuge while many of their own homes were burned and their possessions plundered.

About 100 years later, in 1723, the Reichenberg was further renovated by Count Georg Wilhelm to better suit its use as a residence; however, this function did not last long, as the count moved to the newly built palace in Erbach in 1731.

View of  Reichenberg Castle in 1820, in: Historische Ortsansichten <http://www.lagis-hessen.de/de/subjects/idrec/sn/oa/id/2958> (Stand: 10.6.2008

Pictures from the early part of the 19th century show the castle to still be in good repair, and, in the 19th and early 20th centuries the buildings there served various uses, including as town administrative offices, a boys’ school, a hotel and a recreational center.   

Cafe at Reichenberg Castle

After changing hands a few times, the castle was bought in 1979 by the Young Christian Offensive, an Evangelical Christian organization headquartered in Reichelsheim.  Today the castle is lovingly cared for by the group, who offer tours, educational experiences and run a cafe within the castle walls. They also use the castle for various meetings and seminars, including holding church services in the reconstructed Gothic chapel.

Entry to the castle grounds and Gothic chapel is free. The castle also has an onsite cafe with an outside terrace offering commanding views of Reichelsheim and the valley.


Free parking is available at the foot of the castle. From there you walk about 300 metres to the gate. If you wish to walk one of the hiking trails in the area, such as the R7 (19 km circular walk), you can join it here. There are also shorter walks available, and you can consult an Odenwald Club map or a map at one of the local nature car parks for further trail options.

Address:	Schloss Reichenberg 1, 64385 Reichelsheim (Odenwald), Germany, +49 (0) 6164 93060
Opening Times:	Courtyard and chapel only - anytime Interior buildings - groups by appointment only Cafe: Friday - Sunday, Holidays 14:00 - 18:00